Is Canada's talent pool drying up?
- Thread starter oilerfanatic
- Start date
Cybertron84
Registered User
Wow I can't believe a thread like this was started. Most of returning players are all ready in the NHL at 18 19 years old must be drying up. Lol got to love egg nog
The problem with Canada's talent pool is that its too strong. The players that are WJHC eligible are playing in the NHL. Including:
Hall and Seguin were as well as Jeff Skinner, Matt Duschene, Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane and Kyle Clifford...
If there was another strike, Canada would dominate this tournament like nobody's business. Like they did in 05 with Crosby, Getzlaf, Richards, Carter, Perry, Beregeron, Weber, Phaneuf, etc. etc...
Hall and Seguin were as well as Jeff Skinner, Matt Duschene, Ryan O'Reilly, Evander Kane and Kyle Clifford...
If there was another strike, Canada would dominate this tournament like nobody's business. Like they did in 05 with Crosby, Getzlaf, Richards, Carter, Perry, Beregeron, Weber, Phaneuf, etc. etc...
hockeycoach
Registered User
Wishful thinking, nothing more.
The same way some folks try build themself up by putting others down.
CarlWinslow
@hiphopsicles
This guy knows what he is talking about. Thank you for bringing some sanity to the mix.
what about coaching?
when you consider the depth of talent that last years team had and for for "wee willie" to run only two and a half lines against the fast skating americans,we were destined to fail! Cameron has done his homework,and the results are obvious!
when you consider the depth of talent that last years team had and for for "wee willie" to run only two and a half lines against the fast skating americans,we were destined to fail! Cameron has done his homework,and the results are obvious!
Well the way I'm seeing it:
Hockey = Canada's sport #1
Skiing = Austrian's sport #1
Baseball = American's sport #1
Soccer = Brasil
Golf = Scottland
England = Polo
I'm glad that its not always the big and very immigranted countries who are dominating everything, otherwise we would see the tons of states merged into "one" named USA ruling all of these sports. Nothing against the people in the US I just don't like the idea of merging countries. I'm heavily against the oversea project named "European Union" too
Canada will continue to dominate in hockey no doubt about that for sure they won't win gold every year but given their almost endless talentpool they should be very very fine for years to come.
Hockey = Canada's sport #1
Skiing = Austrian's sport #1
Baseball = American's sport #1
Soccer = Brasil
Golf = Scottland
England = Polo
I'm glad that its not always the big and very immigranted countries who are dominating everything, otherwise we would see the tons of states merged into "one" named USA ruling all of these sports. Nothing against the people in the US I just don't like the idea of merging countries. I'm heavily against the oversea project named "European Union" too
Canada will continue to dominate in hockey no doubt about that for sure they won't win gold every year but given their almost endless talentpool they should be very very fine for years to come.
rigger
Registered User
Giuseppe Sallo
ELE-VAT-ED
I wouldn't say heart though, I would say winner attitude. There's a difference there for me.
I read an article in one of the Hockey magazine's over Christmas with a big splashing headline "Is Hockey Dying in Canada?".
Clearly, we are still tops in the world at producing elite NHL athletes.
The main point of the article was that enrollment in minor hockey programs is down across the board in Canada. There were several factors mentioned:
There is little you can do about urbanization. It is happening everywhere.
Ice sheets in cities is something that if municipal / provincial and federal government had the will they could solve. Apparently (according to the article) greater Toronto has something like 47 ice sheets - but almost half of them are in private facilities that are expensive to rent and drive up the cost of minor hockey. Subsidized ice time for minor hockey apparently runs around $125/hr, but unsubsidized time in private facilities can exceed $300/hr.
In Vancouver, where I live, for every new ice sheet created, the City/Parks Board tears down an older existing facility (same thing with swimming pools).
Changing demographics is something that time and access to ice sheets will likely resolve. It often takes immigrant populations a generation to embrace the cultural and sporting values of the adopted country. We are starting to see African/Black and Indian players who have grown up in Canada now break into the Major Junior and NHL ranks.
Clearly, we are still tops in the world at producing elite NHL athletes.
The main point of the article was that enrollment in minor hockey programs is down across the board in Canada. There were several factors mentioned:
- Urbanization - many small towns have fabulous, near new arenas, but declining populations of children. Families with children are moving to the cities.
- Lack of ice sheets in big cities. None of our major metro areas have enough ice sheets to meet the demand, and many of the existing facilities are 30 to 40 years old.
- Changing demographics in urban areas. Soccer, cricket, etc. are more popular with immigrant populations.
There is little you can do about urbanization. It is happening everywhere.
Ice sheets in cities is something that if municipal / provincial and federal government had the will they could solve. Apparently (according to the article) greater Toronto has something like 47 ice sheets - but almost half of them are in private facilities that are expensive to rent and drive up the cost of minor hockey. Subsidized ice time for minor hockey apparently runs around $125/hr, but unsubsidized time in private facilities can exceed $300/hr.
In Vancouver, where I live, for every new ice sheet created, the City/Parks Board tears down an older existing facility (same thing with swimming pools).
Changing demographics is something that time and access to ice sheets will likely resolve. It often takes immigrant populations a generation to embrace the cultural and sporting values of the adopted country. We are starting to see African/Black and Indian players who have grown up in Canada now break into the Major Junior and NHL ranks.
CarlWinslow
@hiphopsicles
fireworks
Registered User
Yes, poor us. How unfortunate that we live in this sad little country.
We stand on guard for thee!!
Go Canada Go!
If beer-drinking was a sport, we would dominate like nobody's business. There are only 2 things Canadians take seriously:
1. Hockey
2. Beer
Rocko604
Sports will break your heart.
QFT. Maybe lacrosse. God bless that sport.
As for the original question, and it's been repeated I'm sure, but let's go and get all the players currently in the NHL that are still eligible for this tournament, and then see how Canada would do?
Duchene, Kane, Skinner, Hall, Seguin = slaughter.
In fact, let every eligible player that's in the NHL play in this tournament, no matter the country, and Canada would still dominate.
bellagiobob
Registered User
- Jul 27, 2006
- 22,316
- 51,685
That was a good article. An interesting point brought up was the declining birth rate, etc. This is from the article:
In 2006, there were 2.1 million children aged 10 - 14 in Canada. However, by 2016, that number is expected to drop by more than 300,000 to about 1.79 million. Assuming the 9.5% participation rate continues to hold thru to that period, Hockey Canada could be looking at losing about 30,000 players in its most important age group.
Not sure how this would be reflected in other countries, but looks to be potentially significant for Canada.
Yes, poor us. How unfortunate that we live in this sad little country.
Love that commercial, we have more square feet of Awesomeness per person than any other country in the world. So few, control so much.......
fixed... there have been stats showing Canadians have more sex per person than any other country in the world... maybe thats a combination of the beer and celebrating Gold Medal wins in hockey though
hahahhaha, do you keep track of everyone's statistics when it comes to posting? Wat a life you must lead.
zing......
